- ADC alleged the APC intends to keep El-Rufai in detention until after the 2027 elections
- The party expressed concern over the former Kaduna governor’s health while in custody
- El-Rufai is facing separate trials over alleged financial misconduct and wiretapping
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately ensuring that former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai remains in detention until after the 2027 general elections
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Eko Hot Blog reports that the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the continued detention of El-Rufai was politically motivated.
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Abdullahi maintained that while the party supports the prosecution of anyone with a legitimate case to answer, it was concerned about what it described as prolonged detention despite the offences being bailable.
According to him, the repeated court proceedings and what he called stringent bail conditions had raised doubts about the government’s intentions.
He claimed the opposition believed the APC-led administration wanted to keep El-Rufai in custody because of the political influence he could wield if released ahead of the next general election.
“The belief within our party is that the government has no intention of releasing him before the elections because they consider his freedom a boost for the opposition,” Abdullahi said.
The ADC spokesperson also expressed concern over the former governor’s health, citing reports from his family that he recently received medical attention at the National Hospital and was advised to remain under observation.
He warned that the Federal Government would be held accountable if El-Rufai’s health deteriorated while in detention, insisting that he should be granted access to proper medical care.
Abdullahi further alleged that actions against the ADC and opposition figures were intended to weaken political competition before the 2027 elections.
He accused the APC administration of placing greater emphasis on electoral calculations than on addressing the country’s pressing challenges, while describing the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda as lacking meaningful impact.
The ADC spokesman added that the coalition within the party was formed by opposition leaders seeking to provide Nigerians with a credible political alternative.
El-Rufai is currently facing charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over alleged financial misconduct during his time as governor of Kaduna State.
He is also standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged unlawful wiretapping in a separate case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
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